WGN America cancels 'Underground' after two seasons

May 31 (UPI) -- WGN America this week canceled period drama Underground after two seasons.

The television show, set during the 19th century, detailed the lives of runaway slaves and abolitionists, including Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglass. During its first season, Underground became the most-watched original scripted series in the channel's history

Douglass was portrayed by John Legend, who was an executive producer on the show and addressed WGN's decision Tuesday on Twitter.

Sinclair Broadcast Group, which owns TV stations throughout the United States, bought Tribune Media, WGN America's parent company, in May for about $3.9 billion.

Legend blamed that purchase for his show's cancelation and said he'd work to find a "new home" for the program.

"We're not reliant on a particular network to make great content," Legend wrote in a separate tweet. "We're so proud of our show and the audience that supported!"

Tribune Media's CEO Peter Kern said in a statement his company is taking a new direction after the Sinclair acquisition.